I did not foresee it but my life is much better for having given up driving. I sold my truck before I came to PV. It’s been much better for me and I feel more relaxed since I don’t have to drive and hassle with a vehicle.

Now I take buses everywhere (and occasionally a taxi). In Mexico, buses will take you just about everywhere.

Walk the Malecon “boardwalk” from Old Town at Los Muertos (Pier of the Dead, Beach of the Dead) along the bay through El Centro. Along the way, you will find statuary, shopping, panoramas, and shows. Another “malecon” worth a visit winds through the Marina. Each of these boardwalks offers some of the best people watching in the world, especially on Sunday afternoons.

Enjoy fine dining at any of the many world class restaurants of Puerto Vallarta. Also, there are some very worthy street stands to try. When you are in Old Town be sure to dine at La Palapa, Archie’s Wok, Pancho’s Takos, or Fajita Republic.

At first, I was reluctant to take a bus. Now that I’ve been on several all over Puerto Vallarta, I prefer busses to taxicabs or driving.

Here’s a few tips to help you use a bus:

Destinations are painted on the front of each bus. For example: Marina, El Centro, Olas Altas, Hoteles. A bus that says Tunel will bypass downtown but end up in the same end of town.

If not stopped already, wave down the bus you want. Usually, you want to be at a bus stop but anywhere will do. Pay with centavos or pesos but no large bills. The driver will hand you a small ticket.

Hold on. Busses start quickly. Find a seat. The further back, the bumpier. Also, choose the shady side to sit.

It’s hard to get lost. Most roads run north-south along the bay, so that’s where the busses run. And the city being narrow means it’s always close to catch a bus.

Drivers are very helpful. Although some speak little English, they always seem to give me the right direction when I ask in my pidgin Spanglish.

It’s cheap, reliable, and safe. At 6.5 pesos, that’s about 50 cents a ride within the city. There’s always a bus right behind the one you’ve missed. And although I’ve been on some wild rides through El Centro (downtown), the bus drivers have an excellent record of safe arrivals.

It’s easy to find your way. Once I went past my stop by a mile, saw an oncoming bus, got off, and rode back on the other bus to my stop. It’s that easy.

To get off, I stand up. I’ve never used the buzzer and it’s invisible on many busses. I’ve heard men whistle loudly at the driver and I’ve seen people wave and say something. You can try many things and the driver seems to be able to tell what you want. Oh, I’ve seen stops for no apparent reason. But don’t worry, drivers are all friendly and will stop anywhere.

It can be an adventure. It can be bumpy and noisy. Sometimes it’s empty, then fills up. Sometimes musicians, children selling Chicklets, or some other type will solicit donations. One time I had a wild ride where the driver could only hold the pedal to the metal or hit the brake, no in-between.

Bus drivers own and decorate their bus. They’re well known along the route so you’ll see them buy lunch or other items, talk to friends and family, and generally interact along the way with their riders.